The candidate Abelardo de la Espriellawho led the first round of presidential elections on May 31, 2026, uses the military salute and the motto “firm for the country” as part of its campaign. In this context, since June 7, a image in which the Colombian National Team footballers are replicating that gesture, supposedly in support to the applicant. However, the content, shared more than 600 times, was created with artificial intelligence (AI).
Screenshot of a post in X. Artificial intelligence (Ai) symbol added. Photo:The Filter
The image circulated after the first presidential round
National media recorded that the midfielder James Rodríguez allegedly ignored a request for sign a shirt for Antonella Petro.
The episode occurred days after the first round of presidential electionsin which the opposing candidate De la Espriella obtained 43.7% of the votes, followed by the official senator Iván Cepeda, with 40.9%. Both candidates will face each other in a runoff on June 21.
But the alleged photo in which the players make a gesture in support for De la Espriella it’s a mounting.
The photo does not appear on official channels
A Google search with the words “Colombia team” and “Abelardo de la Espriella” did not return records of the viral photography. The same thing happened when repeating the investigation in the respective official accounts on social networks.
Screenshot of a post in X. Artificial intelligence (Ai) symbol added. Photo:The Filter
James Rodríguez also does not match the viral image
Besides, James Rodriguezwho apparently takes the photo, He does not have the characteristic tattoos from his left arm:
James Rodriguez in training at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo on May 26, 2026. Photo:(Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)
Specialized tools detected content generated with AI
He AI detector from OpenAI company concluded that the piece It was generated with their tools. He Sight Engine scanner matched with the result.
Screenshot of the OpenAI detector. Artificial intelligence (Ai) symbol. Photo:The Filter
This article is part of El Filtro, a collaborative initiative of El Tiempo and AFP Factual.
